The Easiest Way to Gain or Lose Weight – a Simple Habit

If you’re trying to get fit, you’ve probably thought about what kind of supplements would help you reach your goal much faster.

This has been a debate among my friends.

The real question is – why is this one of the first questions that many of us have when it’s time to get fit?

Do supplements really help you, and what’s more, is there a faster, easier way?

Thankfully, there’s a strategy that works much better – and is infinitely less complicated.

The Fistful Strategy

Figuring out what, when, and how much to eat has never been a complicated problem in the millions of years of human history.

It’s not a difficult issue to figure out. Let’s keep this in mind.

I’ve gotten a bunch of questions from readers wondering what the “#1 thing would be to change their body.” Most often, young men want to get more muscular, to gain weight. Women, on the other hand, typically want to lose weight.

That’s a very generalized look at what people are trying to do with their physical goals. Both of us want to be toned though and look and feel a certain way (see my article on getting toned up here).

I use a very simple process that deals with these challenges. It has something to do with portion control, and it will help you whether you’re looking to gain some pounds or lose weight.

The Fistful strategy is based on one very simple thing: adjusting fistfuls of either veggies or carbs.

You may have heard of adjusting carbs a LOT.

And you’re probably tired of it. Just hear me out for a moment because this might be *the* only meal plan I’ve seen that lets you eat all food groups, without deprivation or some extreme, cardboard-tasting diet.

The first step is to break down your meal into three parts – the macronutrient breakdown. That means looking at veggies, protein, and carbs as the major constituents of your meals, and then adjusting the veggie and carb proportions based on your goals.

To Gain Weight – The Simple Habit

If you want to gain weight in a healthy way, add a little bit more carbs to each meal. Once you do that consistently, over the weeks and the months, you’re going to see yourself putting on the healthy weight that you want from the added calories.

To Lose Weight – The Simple Habit

If your goal is weight loss, take away one small handful of the carbs and then replace them with veggies.

It’s super simple, no complexity here. And certainly no PhD required. Either way, you’re still eating carbs. You’re not removing any food group entirely, so you still get all the good stuff.

One thing I’ve found working with clients is that any time one entire food group is removed (with the exception of veggies, hehe) people feel deprived, and it won’t work for more than a few months.

Stop Measuring, Counting, Depriving, and Making it Difficult

There’s no measuring required here (besides intuitive portioning), no calorie counting, and no tracking. I’m keeping it super simple today because it’s easier to get things done this way than overanalyze things and never begin.

The irony is that the people that are the best at what they do often keep things incredibly simple.

These people have so much experience that they understand how to put key lessons into very succinct, quick habits. You can tell an amateur by the time they spend on over-intellectualizing and over-confusing things.

So… thus far, has your approach been simple, like that of a pro who cuts right to the chase, or the amateur who over analyzes and fails to take action?

Weight loss, just like any goal, comes down to doing very simple habits, repeatedly, over time.

Most of the grit comes down to persistence – the consistency, and the discipline, of seeing these things through over the days, weeks, months, and years.

The way to your ideal weight can be simple.

I know you’re thinking – no carbs!?

That’s not what we’re doing here.

You might also be thinking isn’t there another way?

Well, yes, about a thousand other ways. But why not just follow one proven method that works?

Adjust your carbs. Add a fistful if you want to gain weight, and replace a fistful with veggies if you want to lose weight. Or if you’re more concerned with your health, obviously go towards a more veggie-based diet along with some protein.

That is the simplest way I have seen to adjust calories based on what your goals are.

Hi Alex, I was just wondering, are beans considered proteins or carbohydrates? I have this incredible recipe for taco soup that is totally healthy and nutritious. It’s mostly kidney beans! It is also unbelievably easy to make, so easy even I can make it. I think your readers would really enjoy having the recipe, or better yet, seeing you make a video of how easy it is to make and how delicious it tastes.

When I was young I saw that my father & his friends had beer bellies. I never wanted to look like that, so I’ve stayed active all my life. I used to drink heavily, but in the back of my mind was ” this can kill you be careful”. I tried smoking but avoided hard drugs cause I knew what they did to the brain & body and I didn’t want that. I quit smoking cause I knew it was stupid and I’m bigger than that and addiction is a mental weakness. Yes sometimes things are hard and you feel real hopeless. So I cry, I pray, I cry some more and maybe drink my self to sleep. But the next morning I shake it off and press on. I have one life its mine to do with as I please and I chose to be happy, to have joy and over come problems.
One day I may die but until that day happens I am here to win or at least try to score in this game. Yes life is a game. Might seem to be a pointless cruel one. But why close your eyes and quit. The game is afoot, you didn’t make the rules but you can play by your own rules. Rule 1. Don’t give a f**k.
Its your life, live it, let others live theirs. Stop interfering. Rule 2. Stop worrying. You will die, you don’t know when so enjoy everyday and everyone and everything. Smile. Laugh. Love. Stop going to funerals. See your friends before it’s too late. Rule 3. Spend more time outdoors. Look up at the sky. Look down at the ground. Examine flowers. Examine trees. Hug animals. Explore your city. Explore your backyard. Take time to smell the roses.
Rule 4. Quit work. Stop the 9 – 5 slavery. Simplify your life and try to live on less. Find something you enjoy doing and try to make it a career. Money is for your life. Your life should not be about money.
Rule 5. Give thanks. Pray to whoever and thank them for the chance to live. If you believe in nothing give thanks to nothing. Share the love. Peace.